Cranial Osteopathy

The Osteopathic Cranial Academy is an international membership organization based in the United States. Training in the cranial concept is available to qualified physicians and dentists. Each may apply the cranial concept within the accepted standards of their individual professions.

In the United States,
Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine (DOs) are fully trained physicians,
licensed to practice the entire range and scope of medicine and surgery.
US trained DOs attend their own medical schools, receive the same
post-graduate training as their MD colleagues, and receive additional
education in the principles of osteopathy, applied in practice as
osteopathic manipulative treatment. Osteopathy is a system of medicine
that recognizes the dynamic relationship of structure and function in
health and disease. Only US trained DO’s can be licensed to practice
osteopathic medicine in the USA.

Outside the United States,
each country administers educational and licensing standards specific
to that domain. Some countries may have non-medical osteopathic colleges
whose graduates receive a “Diplomate of Osteopathy,” (also titled
“DO”). These non-US osteopaths cannot perform medical diagnosis,
prescribe medications, or perform surgery. Some countries may have a
post-graduate certificate program in osteopathy for medical doctors. All
US trained DOs, non-US Diplomates of Osteopathy, and international
physicians with post-graduate training in osteopathy subscribe to
osteopathic principles and philosophy. Non-US DOs and international
physicians with post-graduate training in osteopathy must meet the
standard set by the official Registry of their respective country in
order to be granted membership in The Osteopathic Cranial Academy as Affiliate Members.

Osteopathic Principles
focus on the natural motion within the body's structure and its
relationship to function. The DO learns how to restore health by
applying osteopathic principles in the practice of hands-on treatment.
Osteopathic knowledge and treatment considers the musculoskeletal system
to be an extremely important but often neglected aspect of total
health. It must also be emphasized that osteopathy considers the
inter-relationships of all physiologic systems (e.g., neurological,
respiratory, digestive, etc.).

Cranial Osteopathy is
an expansion of the general principles of osteopathy which includes a
special understanding of the central nervous system and a mechanism
called primary respiration. Those who wish to practice Cranial
Osteopathy train intensively through post-graduate studies. A
Certificate of Proficiency may be earned by members of The Osteopathic
Cranial Academy who demonstrate clinical ability in Osteopathy in the
Cranial Field.